AN Inverclyde football team has reached out to asylum seekers living in the area and to other local 'New Scots' to offer them a chance to play the beautiful game - with a little help from some friends.

Sunday league outfit Inter Clyde has welcomed team mates from across the local 'New Scots' community as they aim to break down barriers through football.

In a fantastic gesture of support, Morton in the Community stepped in to offer the players, some of whom are asylum seekers living in a hotel in the area, playing kit through their 'Boots and Pieces' programme, which aims to make the game affordable for all.

Among those joining the Inter Clyde line up are care support worker Moses Edogamhe, who moved with his family to Inverclyde from Nigeria.

Brendan McEleny with Moses EdogamheBrendan McEleny with Moses Edogamhe (Image: George Munro)

The team's coach, Brendan McEleny, says he's over the moon at being able to use football to create friendships and help people feel at home in Inverclyde.

He said: "We stared to get guys who are living in the hotel coming along and watching us train at the Battery Park. We asked them if they wanted a game.

"We got in touch with Morton in the Community to see if they could help out with football boots.

"It is brilliant to have so many different nationalities playing with us.

"The most important thing in all of this is that the guys who are living in the hotel, and all the other New Scots, now have 20 people they can call friends.

"Our team really is about more than football. It is about socialising, as well as giving people the chance just to play some football.

"We also invited some of the New Scots who had been playing at Lady Octavia."

Inter Clyde was set up three years ago, in the aftermath of the pandemic. The team plays in the Greenock Welfare League.

Brendan MBrendan McEleny and Moses Edogamhe (Image: George Munro)

They train at Lady Octavia and are sponsored by The Exchange, where they go after matches to socialise and to eat and drink.

They have recently recruited some people who are seeking asylum in the UK and have been placed in the town's Holiday Inn while awaiting a decision from the Home Office on their right to remain in the country.

Moses works in the Kincaid House care home in the town, having moved to Inverclyde to help tackle a shortage of care workers in the area.

The dad-of-four moved to Greenock from London with his wife Efa six months ago.

Moses, aged 35, said: "We are very happy in Greenock. I moved from London because of the high levels of crime on our doorstep. I wanted to be somewhere safe.

"I played football back in Nigeria. It is great to be playing football with Inter Clyde and I have made lots of friends."

Brendan added: "I can't thank Morton in the Community and Brian McLaughlin enough for their support."